Chapter 49 Formidable Xanthe Ellison
Charles sighed with respect on the side, utterly in awe of Paige’s ingenuity. Now that she had secured everything she'd wanted, Raymond's thoughts certainly made sense.
Paige quickly proceeded out of the cameras' line of sight. Feeling overwhelmed by the discovery, Raymond leaned back and quickly closed his laptop. He wondered if he would still find this woman when he got back to what was meant to be a "home" tonight.
With her mission accomplished, was it time for her to disappear? She could choose from many countries in the Eurosphere; where might she go next?
Raymond's mind was a whirlwind of pressing questions as he caught the wearied expression creasing Charles's brow. The air was thick with tension, the concern palpable.
"Raymond, is she leaving the country today?" Charles inquired, unable to contain his curiosity.
Raymond was just as eager for the answer. After all, those hunting for the secret funds were scattered across the globe.
Given Paige was groomed by those very people and now possessed the vital clue, it seemed inevitable she'd flee.
Charles proposed securing the airport, a cunning suggestion meant to keep Paige from escaping, and Raymond merely gave him a knowing look. Lock down the airport? Why trap her here when he could have simply ensured she'd never get the chance to retrieve what lay hidden in the basement? Wasn't that the real way to guarantee foolproof security?
"Let no one stop her," commanded Raymond, with an air of finality.
Charles could do nothing but obey the order.
Meanwhile, Paige had returned to Universe, her snapped photos already sent to Cecil West to confirm and decipher the crucial leads. They were close to locating the money, and once that happened, the launch of Universe's top-tier projects would not only skyrocket the company to unparalleled heights but also bring untold benefits to humanity.
With the clues in capable hands, Paige could step back, and take a breather. Five years and she had completed the major task her mentor had entrusted to her. After all, so many had entered the Jobs family estate over the years, yet none had truly accessed the core secrets. Now, Paige had successfully extracted them, and all her constraints evaporated.
Pearl South approached, a folder in hand and a smile of satisfaction gracing her features.
"Congratulations, Xanthe."
As she spoke, Pearl opened the folder and handed over an ID card.
"Xanthe, this is your identity card. Paige is dead to the world; succumbed to illness. From today forward, no matter how many remember Paige’s face, you are Xanthe Ellison."
Xanthe Ellison, the granddaughter of Zachary Ellison! The renowned prodigy whose reputation once struck fear in both the lawful and the lawless, a legend in the business world, and the founder of Universe Group.
Zachary, regrettably, only had one daughter, who is said to have passed away prematurely a long time ago. As a result, after Zachary's alleged death, the Universe Group had been firmly under the control of the board of directors, with no one to carry on the legacy.
Paige reached for the ID handed to her by Pearl. As of this moment, she took on a new identity; she was Xanthe Ellison, the biological granddaughter of Zachary Ellison and the sole heir to the Universe Group.
After Paige accepted the ID, Pearl handed her a bank card, saying, "Xanthe, all assets registered under Paige's name have been transferred to this card. From today onward, you're free to utilize it in any social setting."
Paige nodded in acknowledgment and took the card.
Pearl then presented Paige with a variety of documents, including passports, diploma certificates, and further identification, everything to solidify her transformation into Zachary's granddaughter.
Once Pearl ensured Paige had received all the necessary items, she turned her attention to Kim.
Kim approached, folder in hand, "Xanthe, this contains Zachary's will and letter of appointment. Now, in the presence of Pearl, Cecil West, Julian, and the members who will join the upcoming Universe Global board meeting via video conference, it is my duty to read it."
"How much time do we have?" Paige inquired, mentally preparing for her first official encounter with the powers that had govern Universe for the past decade.
Kim glanced at her watch, "Fifteen minutes!"
"That's enough," Paige replied with a brief nod.
Little did she expect that the outfit Pearl had prepared would be needed so soon.
"Help me get changed," Paige called out to her.
"Certainly, Xanthe!" Pearl responded with grave seriousness.
Together, they made their way to the resting area in the CEO's office, where Pearl had laid out the clothing choices.
Over the last five years, Paige had undergone intense instruction in looks and fashion. A true country girl, she had never missed out on any of the haute couture fashion weeks or spring/summer collections.
Though she had been confined to a prison, the world's top fashion designers had taken the unusual step of coming to her cell to offer their lectures.
When it came to selecting her wardrobe, Paige's eye was unerring.
From Pearl's selection, Paige picked out a pristine white designer suit that fit her impeccably. Its tailored cut and hand-stitched embroidery on the chest conveyed a sense of dignity and formality.
The white suit was a perfect choice for her first meeting with the board members. It was assertive without being too aggressive and reinforced her innate aura of authority.
The high-waisted blazer and split-back pencil skirt showcased her figure while maintaining an air of aloof grace. She had nailed the balance between elegance and presence.
With her hands, Paige tousled her hair and then pulled it back into a loose, slightly untidy bun at the nape of her neck, which somehow accentuated her polished appearance.
Noticing her readiness, Pearl promptly opened the safe in the lounge.
"Every now and then, our group purchases expensive jewelry at auction to give as gifts. This is where we store the pieces that we haven't yet donated. Which set appeals to you, Xanthe?" Pearl asked.
Paige's eyes went straight to one set, "The sapphires."
Pearl removed the sapphire jewelry and adorned Paige with it. A pair of earrings complemented by a delicate necklace with diamonds and sapphires suited Paige splendidly, enhancing her already regal aura.
While Pearl was adjusting the jewelry, Paige quickly and efficiently applied her makeup. Today marked her formal debut in front of the board members, and regardless of their support, it was crucial to make an outstanding first impression.
Kim knocked from outside, "Xanthe, it's time."
As soon as her voice faded, Pearl opened the door.
The click of Paige's high heels resonated against the floor as she stepped out, leaving Kim in surprise.
Julian and Cecil were also visibly stunned. They knew Paige was beautiful but had never imagined how breathtaking she could be when dressed up.
Julian was the first to find words, letting out a smile, "I saw that outfit on a model during Fashion Week, but it didn't look nearly as stunning as it does on you, Ms. Ellison."
Paige acknowledged Julian's compliment with a faint smile, effortlessly owning the room with her presence.
Paige stood in front of the desk, watching as the big screen sprang to life in front of her. A dozen video thumbnails appeared in a matter of seconds, hers taking up the majority of the screen. She remained motionless, her gaze sweeping the screen while many speakers added their diverse insights.
With a sharp glance, Paige opened the meeting, "I'm delighted to meet you all. Now, let's begin."
With that, she turned and took her seat. Leaning slightly back, she struck a relaxed yet commanding pose, captivating everyone present with her powerful demeanor.
